Receptacle filling and emptying device



Oct. 31, 1933. J. D. CURTIS I REECEPTACLE FILLING AND EMPTYING DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1932 Jb/zmfiewey A TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 31, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECEPTACLE FILLINGAND EMPTYING DEVICE This invention relates to a receptacle filling andemptying device, and has special reference to the provision of a devicewhereby a receptacle, such as a wash tub or the clothes washingreceptacle of a washing machine, may be easily and conveniently filledwith water from a water supply faucet of a kitchen sink, stationary washtub or the like and as easily and conveniently emptied into the sink orother waste 1. outlet through a suction or syphonage action institutedby means of the faucet.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a reversible combinedfilling and discharge suction or syphonage type of device of thischaracter which is simple of construction and made wholly of rubber, sothat it is light in weight and may be economically produced and employedwithout liability of any part of it becoming dent-' ed or otherwiseinjured in reversing it for the stated uses, or'any part becoming lostand rendering the device inoperative, or of any part becoming rusted ormutilated from careless handling, such as is liable to happen in themanufacture of the device in many parts or of metal or a combination ofmaterials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich may be used with plain (unthreaded) or threaded faucets at willand in a ready and convenient manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which produces astrong suction and 'syphonage action while regulating the flow anddischarge of liquid therefrom so as to prevent objectionable noise orgushing or splashing of the liquid.

In the accompanying drawing,-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing in the one view, for convenienceand simplicity of illustration, the use of the device in filling and 40emptying a clothes washer.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device on anenlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a view of the retarding disk.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the use of an adaptor for threadedfaucets.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, 1 designates the body ofthe device which is in the form of an elongated tube havinglongitudinally alined inlet and discharge portions 2 and 3,respectively, said portions being provided with the channels 4 and 5,respectively. These channels are of the same or substantially the samediameter, the channel 4 being of a suitable diameter to receive theoutlet of a smoothsurfaced water-supply faucet 6, as in Fig. l, or

to receive a threaded adapter .1 for connecting the inlet end of thedevice to a threaded faucet 6, as shown in Fig.

At a point intermediate of its length, and between the proximate ends ofthe channels so 4 and 5, the tube 1 is provided with an annularlyenlarged suction chamber 8. with one side of this chamber communicates anipple 9 extending laterally from the tube and which is preferablyannularly corrugated or threadedto receive and tightly engagea hose orflexible pipe 10. This nipple has special characteristics, ashereinafter set forth. Also communicating with the chamber 8 is atapered suction tube or aspirator cone or nozzle 11 which extends fromthe channel 4 into said chamber to a point forwardly, or toward thechannel 5, beyond the axial center ofthe bore of the nipple 9. Byextending the nozzle to such degree forward its aspirating action isgreatly increased, or, in other words, the suction pull in the chamber 8is greatly increased over what it would otherwise be, and the efliciencyof operation of the device in emptying a receptacle of liquidcorrespondingly increased, as hereinafter described. Preferably theparts referred to are formed as a unit of vulcanized rubber rigid enoughas a whole to be self-sustaining but having certain of its portionselastic enough to .expand and I contact under pressure. For example, thenipple 5 is made of fairly rigid. rubber in order that it will maintainits shape when the hose 10 is applied thereto and in order that a secureretention of the hose 10 thereon may be secured, as I have found thatthe engagement of rubber with rubber and particularly the grip of thesofter-rubber of the hose on the harder rubber of the nipple will effecta coupling which is absolutely tight or leak-proof and ensures theholding of the hose against pulling off without the use of a clamp orother fastening required with other coupling connections. The branchportion" 2, for example, is of sufficient elasticity to require itsinlet end to be distended in fitting it on a faucet or adapter so thatit will by reaction and compaction have an elastic grip thereon. It willbe observed that the branch 2 of tube 1 is tapered longitudinally andreduced in diameter and its wall thickness progressively decreasedbetween its outer and inlet end and a point 11 where the channel 4communicates with the nozzle 11, so as to increase the elasticity of thetube, i. e., reduce its resistance to expansion and contraction at thispoint. By this means the pressure of the fluid flowing no -the outervend of channel 5 of this branch portion 3 terminates in an enlargement12 formed to provide a discharge chamber 13 having an inner taperedportion 14 and an outer circular portion 15. The circular portion 15forms an elastic gripping portion which is provided with a keeper groove18 to receive a replaceablebaffie or retarder 17. This baiile orretarder comprises a disk preferably formed of hard rubber and having ahub or center portion 18, a rim portion 19 and a series of radiatingspokes or arms 20 connecting the two and forming an annular series offluid discharge ports 21. This disk is adapted to be held in place bypressing it into the part 15 of the discharge chamber until its rim 19engages the groove 16, the clasticity of part 5 allowing it to expand topermit insertion of the disk and then to contract to hold the disk inplace. The function of this disk is to retard the outflow of thedischarging water sufilciently to ensure the filling and sealing of theparts 5 and 8 with water against the entrance of air so as to produce astrong sue-- formly and laterally to the ports 21 for discharge.Preferably the side of the hub 18 facing the channel 5 is concaved ordished, as shown at 22, to deflect the liquid toward the beveleddeflecting walls 23 of the chamber 13 so that the baiiiing action willbe increased and so that a proper and easy guidance of the water to thedischarge parts will be obtained without undue agitation or backlash.

Fig. 1 shows the use of the device in filling and emptying a washtub orwashing receptacle 24 of a washing machine. In the use of the device forfilling a receptacle 24, as shown at the right hand side of Fig. l, thefree end of the hose or conductor 10 is fitted over the outlet of thefaucet 6 and the opposite end of said conductor to which the device 1 isattached is disposed within the tub. The faucet is then turned on forthe flow of the water and the water passes through the hose 10, nipple 9and through both channels 4 and 5 of the device 1 into the tub. When, onthe other hand, it is desired to empty the tub of washing or rinsingwater, the device is reversed as shown at the left hand side of Fig. 1and the free end of the 1 hose is submerged in the water in the tub,while the hose 10 into the suction chamber 8 and is opened for thesupply of water which passes along the channel 4 and through the nozzle11 into the suction chamber 8 and thence through through channel 5 tothe discharge chamber 13 and thence through the ports in the retardingdisk to the sink or waste receptacle 25. Owing to the fact that a strongsuction action is institut'ed, a rapid flow of water and quick emptyingof the receptacle 24 will occur. As soon as a proper syphonicaction isestablished, the faucet 6 may be closed, or such faucet may be allowedto remain open to a predetermined extent to keep the channel 4 filledand to prevent the breaking of the syphonic action. In such use of theparts, the syphonic pull may tend to cause displacement of the device 1from the faucet 6, but this action is counteracted and prevented with myconstruction by reason of the expansion under pressure of the member 1at the point 11', which not only prevents dilation .of the inlet end ofthe part 2 but causes its contraction so that it will grip the faucet orthe adapter still more firmly and maintain its engagement therewith. Theflow of the water into and through chamber 13 would ordinarily be tosome extent irregular and forceful and cause objectionable gushing orsplashing of the discharging water. This is overcome in my de- 119 viceby the construction of the retarding disk and the bafliing surfaces ofsaid disk and baffled wall of the tapered portion of the dischargechamber, whereby the stream of water, on striking the disk, is arrestedand the central portion of the stream-retarded and prevented fromflowing. directly outwardand the entire stream of water then caused topass laterally in all directions in the chamber and to discharge inspray form through the discharge ports in the baflie 120 disk.

It will be observed that the device comprises in effect only two parts,that is to say, the body 1, which is unitarily formed of rubber, and aretarding disk, which is also preferably formed of rubber, so that avery simple structure is provided which may be easily manufactured andsold at a low cost, which is composed of a minimum number of parts,avoidingv the use of complex parts liable to be lost or misiaid, andwhich also avoids the use of parts liable to be bent or broken inhandling or of becoming rusted in service.

By forming the device of a body of elastic rubber a number of otherimportant and desirable advantages are gained, in that the device may beinterchangeably used as a filler and an emptier without employingspecial or unusual care in its handling, since it can be placed on ordropped into any receptacle without liability of marring or scratchingthe receptacle, whether made of porcelain or metal, and also withoutliability of injury to the filler or emptier, the device, in otherwords, being capable of withstanding rough handling such as would beliable 5 to cause injury to the device if made wholly or partly of metalor to receptacles or faucets in connection with which it is used.

Furthermore, the elastic body construction of the device adapts it to bemade so that it may 150 be applied to plain (unthreaded) water faucetsbe readily understood. By the provision of the by simply slipping itover with an elastic fit onto the discharge end of the faucet, as wellas in enabling it to be used in connection with faucets having threadedoutlets by the use of a simple type of adapter as shown in Fig. 4.

In either use a tight gripping action is ensured by the construction andcoaction of parts 2, 3, 8, 11 and 17. The result of the retardingactionof part 17 is notonly to cause the channels 4, 5 and 8 and that ofpart 9 to be completely filled with water and sealed against theentrance of air, whereby a strong suction is produced, but suchretarding action of part 17 is effective in cooperation with the actionof parts 8 and 11 in securing a strong gripping action of the outer endof part or branch 2 about the outlet of a faucet and in counteractingback pressure tending to cause the blowing of water out between theengaging portions of the device and the faucet and detachment of thelatter from the former. As stated the bore or channel 4 is expanded inrear of the cone 11 to provide a diametrically expansible andcontractible portion 11' and between this portion 11 and the cone 11 thebore 4 is tapered in the direction of the cone. When the device isapplied to a faucet and the latter turned on for the flow of waterthrough the channels 4 and 5 a back pressure to a certain degree isimmediately set up by the retarder '7 since the retarding action of theretarder ensures a rapid fill of the channels 4 and 5 to capacity withwater under suflicient back pressure to. cause the part 11' todiametrically expand with the result of contracting the outer or faucetengaging end of branch 2 to cause the same to grip the faucet tightly,the varying thickness and degree of elasticity of the tapered faucetengaging end or fitting of branch 2 and its degree of contraction beingsufilcient to adapt said faucet fitting end to receive and grip faucetsof different forms and sizes in a firm and secure manner againstpossibility of accidental displacement; If, however, the back pressureof the water should increase to an unnecessary or undesirable extent,relief will be afiorded, as the cone 11 will diametrically expand at apredetermined pressure and act as a relief valve or regulator increasingthe diameter of the passage through it to facilitate the flow of waterand thus keep the pressure in the channel 4 not only below thatsufficient to cause the water to escape between the faucet fitting ofbranch 2 and the faucet and blow the deviceofl the faucet, but alsobelow that at which the expansion of part'll' and contraction of branch2 about the nozzle would be nullified or reduced to any material degree.The extent to which the suction-valve-regulator-cone 11 thus autoallsizes and shapeswill be tightly gripped. By

the use of the baflle the branch 5 may be made shorter than wouldotherwise be required in order to secure a filling and sealing actionsufficient to produce an expanding pressure on part 11' for the requiredvariable contracting and gripping action of the outer end of part 2, aswill replaceable baffle or retarder disk of the type set forth, a brokenor mutilated disk may be easily replaced by a new one when required and,in the event of possible clogging of the branch, removal of the disk'will allow the obstructing substance to be easily dislodged. It will beunderstood that when the device is used with hose 10 applied to nipple 5for filling a tub and is disposed with its branches in a horizontalposition water will flow outward through both branches 2 and 3, but bydisposing the device in a vertical position with branch 3 directeddownward the device may be used as an efficient washing-out tool orsprayer for washing out a tub, as in this position substantially all thewater will be sprayed or jetted through the branch 3. This is due to thefact that in the vertical position of the device the cone acts as anobstructor to the upward fiow of water into the branch 2, whichobsructor tends to close under pressure of water from the nipple so thatsubstantially all of the water will be sprayed with some force throughthe openings in the baffle disk.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawing,the construction, mode of operation and advantages of my improvedfilling and emptying device will be obtained without a further andextended description, and it will be seen that the invention provides adevice of this character which is simple of construction,.reliable andeificient in action, adapted to be manufactured and sold at a low cost,and which possesses manifold conveniences and advantages over devices ofits kind heretofore in use. While the construction of the device asdisclosed is preferred, it will, of course, be understood that changesin the form, proportions, and details of construction and in thearrangement of parts may be made within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention.

What I claim is:-

1. A receptacle filling and discharge device comprising a unitarytubular elastic rubber body provided with linearly continuous unitaryinlet and discharge branches having longitudinally alined liquid inletand discharge channels, an annular enlarged suction chamber, interposedbetween said channels, a laterally extending intake nipple having itsaxis in alinement with and communicating with said chamber, an aspiratornozzle integral with the inlet branch and projecting from the inletchannel into the suction chamber, the delivery end of said nozzleprojecting toward the discharge channel to a point beyond the centerline of the bore of the nozzle, said discharge branch being provided atits free end with a laterally expanded discharge chamber, and aretarding and deflecting disk in said chamber.

2. A receptacle filling and discharge device comprising a tubularelastic rubber body, provided with linearly continuous unitary inlet anddischarge portions having longitudinally alined liquid inlet anddischarge channels, an annular enlarged suction chamber interposedbetween said channel, a laterally extending intake nipple communicatingwith said chamber, an aspirator nozzle projecting from the inlet chamnelinto the suction chamber, an enlarged outlet chamber at the end of thedischarge channel having an outer circular portion and an inner flaringportion, and a retarding disk fitted in said circular portion of theoutlet chamber and having a center portion, a rim portion and an annularseries of ports between the same, the inner face of said central portionbeing provided with a concaved deflecting surface coacting with thedeflecting surface formed by the.

flaring portion of the discharge chamber.

3. A receptacle filling. and discharge device comprising a tubularelastic rubber body provided with linearly continuous unitary inlet anddischarge portions having longitudinally alined liquid inlet anddischarge channels, an annular enlarged suction chamber interposedbetween said channel, a laterally extending intake nipple communicatingwith said chamber, an aspirator .nozzle projecting from the inletchannel into the suction chamber, an enlarged outlet chamber at the endof the discharge-channel having an outer circular portion and an innerflaring portion, said circular portion of the outlet chamber hav ing agroove therein, and a retarding disk fitted in said groove in saidcircular portion of the outlet chamber and having a center portion, arim portion and an annular series of ports between the same, the innerface of said central portion being provided with a concaved deflectingsurface coacting with the deflecting surface formed by the flaringportion of the discharge chamber. I

4. A receptacle filling and discharge device comprising a tubularelastic rubber body provided with linearly continuous unitary inlet anddischarge portions having longitudinally alined liquid inlet anddischarge channels, an annular enlarged suction chamber interposedbetween said channel, a laterally extending intake nipple communicatingwith said chamber, an aspirator nozzle integral with the inlet portionand projecting from the inlet'channel into the suction chamber, thedelivery end of said nozzle projecting toward the discharge channelbeyond the center line of the bore of the nozzle, an enlarged outletchamber at the end of the discharge channel having an outer circularportion and an inner flaring portion, and a retarding disk fitted insaid circular portion of the outlet chamber and having a center portion,a rim portion and an annular series of ports between the same, the innerface of said central portion being provided with a concaved deflectingsurface coacting with the deflecting surface forma: by the flaringportion of the discharge cham- 5. A receptacle filling and dischargedevice comprising a tubular elasticrubber body provided with linearlycontinuous unitary inlet and discharge portions having longitudinallyalined liquid inlet and discharge channels, an annular enlarged suctionchamber interposed between said channel, a laterally extending intakenipple communicating with said chamber, an aspirator nozzle integralwith the inlet portion and projecting from the inlet channel into thesuction chamber, the delivery end of said nozzle projecting toward thedischarge channel beyond the center line of the bore of the nozzle anenlarged outlet chamber at the end of the discharge channel having anouter circular portion and an inner flaring portion, said-circularportion of the outlet chamber havinga groove therein, and a retardingdisk fitted in said groove in said circular portion of the outletchamber and having a center portion, a rim portion and an annular seriesof ports between the same, the inner face of said central portion beingprovided with a concaved deflecting surface cdacting with the deflectingsurface formed by the flaring portion of the discharge chamber.

6. In a syphonage filling and emptying device, a body having an inletbranch provided with a longitudinal bore formed at its outer end toprovide an elastic fitting to engage a faucet or an adapter appliedthereto, a discharge branch provided with a longitudinal bore in axialalinement with the bore of the inlet branch, the inner end of said boreterminating in a portion forming a suction chamber, a nipple arranged atan angle to and communicating at its inner end with said suctionchamber, and a suction cone communicating with the outlet end of thebore of the inlet branch'and extending into the suction chamber, theinlet branch being provided adjacent to and in rear of said cone and.between the same and the elastic fitting with an elastic portiondiametrically expansibie under pressure of fluid flowing through theboxes and chamber to effect a gripping contraction of said elasticfitting about the faucet or adapter.

7. In a syphonage filling and emptying de= vice, a body having an inletbranch provided with a longitudinal bore formed at its outer end toprovide an elastic fitting to engage a faucet or an adapter appliedthereto, a discharge branch provided with a longitudinal bore in axialalinement with the bore of the inlet branch, the inner end of said boreterminating in a portion forming a suction chamber, a nipple arranged atan angle to and communicating at its inner end with said suction chambernd a suction cone communicating with the outlet end of the bore of theinlet branch and extending into the suction chamber, said cone being"diametrically expansible and contractible so as to act as a regulatingrelief valve under variations of pressure in the bores, the inlet branchbeing provided adjacent to and in rear of said cone and between the sameand the elastic fitting with an elastic portion diametrically expansibleunder pressure of fluid flowing through the'bores and chamber to effecta ripping contraction of the engaging end of the inlet branch about thefaucet or adapter.

8. In a syphonage filling and emptying device, a body having an inletbranch provided with a longitudinal bore formed at its outer end toprovide an elastic fitting to engage a faucet or an adapter appliedthereto, a discharge branch provided with a longitudinal bore in axialalinement with the bore of the inlet branch, the inner end of said boreterminating in a portion forming a suction chamber, a nipple arranged atan angle to and communicating at its inner end with said suctionchamber, and a suction cone communicating with the outlet end oi thebore of the inlet branch and extending into the suction chamber, theinlet branch being provided adjacent to and in rear of said cone with anelastic portion diametrically expansible under pressure of fluid flowingthrough the bores and chamber to effect a gripping contraction of theyengaging end of the inlet branch about the faucet or adapter, the saidinlet and outlet branches, cone and nipple being formed as a unitarystructure of rubber of sufiicient rigidity to make the structureself-supporting but of suflicient elasticity to adapt the diametricallyexpansible and contractible portion to function as set forth.

9. In a syphonage filling and emptying device, a body having an inletbranch provided with a longitudinalbore formed at its outer end toprovide an elastic fitting to engage a faucet or,

an adapter applied thereto, a discharge branch provided with alongitudinal bore in axial alinechamber, a nipple arranged at an angleto and communicating at its inner end with said suction chamber, asuction cone communicating with the outlet end of the bore of the inletbranch and extending into the suction chamber, the inlet branch beingprovided adjacent to and in rear of said cone and between the same andthe elastic fitting with an elastic portion diametrically expansibleunder back pressure of fluid flowing through the bores and chamber toeffect a gripping contraction of the engaging end of the inlet branchabout the faucet or adapter, and a baflie member at the outer end of theoutlet branch structurally operative to retard the outflow of water to asuflicient degree to cause such back pressure.

10. In a syphonage filling and emptying device, a body having an inletbranch provided with a longitudinal bore formed at its outer end toprovide an elastic fitting to engage a faucet or an adapter appliedthereto, a discharge branch provided with a longitudinal bore in axialalinement with the bore of the inlet branch, the inner end of said boreterminating in an enlarged portion forming a suction chamber, a nipplearranged substantially at right angles to and communicating at its innerend with said suction chamber, and a suction cone communicating with theoutlet end of the bore of the inlet branch and extending into thesuction chamber, said con'e being diametrically expansible andcontractible so as to act as a regu-. lating relief valve undervariations of pressure in the bores, the inlet branch being providedadjacent to and in rear of said cone with an elastic portiondiametrically expansible under pressure of fluid flowing through thebores and chamber to efiect a gripping contraction of the engaging endof the inlet branch about the faucet or adapter, the said inlet andoutlet branches, cone and nipple being formed as a unitary structure ofrubber of a suflicient degree of rigidity to make the structureself-supporting but of a suflicient degree of elasticity toadapt thediametrically expansible and contractible portion to function as setforth.

11. In a syphonage filling and emptying device, a body having an inletbranch provided with a longitudinal bore formed at its outer end toprovide an elastic fitting to engage a faucet or an adapter appliedthereto, a discharge branch provided with a longitudinal bore in axialalinement with the bore of the inlet branch, the inner end of said b'oreterminating in an enlarged portion forming a suction chamber, a nipplearranged substantially at right angles to and communicating at its innerend with said suction chamber, a suction cone communicating with theoutlet end of the bore of the inlet branch and extending into thesuction chamber, the inlet branch being provided adjacent to and in rearof said cone with an elastic portion diametrically expansible underpressure of fluid flowing through the bores and chamber to effect agripping contraction of the elastic fitting about the faucet or adapter,and a bafile member at the outer end of the outlet branch structurallyoperative for retarding the outflow of water to cause sufficientpressure of the fluid to effect such contraction of the fitting, thesaid inlet and outlet branches, cone and nipple being formed as aunitary structure of rubber of a sufl'lcient degree of rigidity to makethe structure self-supporting but of a sufficient degree of elasticityto adapt the diametrically expansible and contractible portion tofunction as set forth.

12. In a syphonage filling and emptying device, a T-shaped hollow bodyformed of rubber and comprising, in a unitary structure, continuousinlet and discharge branches arranged in longitudinal alinement andformed with a suction chamber at their point of intersection, anexpansible and contractible suction cone extending from the inlet branchinto said chamber, said inlet branch havingan elastic faucet fitting atits inlet end and a diametrically expansible and contractible portionadjacent to and between said cone and elastic fitting, and a nippledisposed at right angles to said branches and communicating with saidchamber, and a bafile member at the outlet end of the discharge branchoperating to retard the outflow of fluid to a degree to effect expansionof the said expansible and contractible portion of the inlet branch bythe fluid to cause a diametric gripping contraction of said elasticfitting.

JOHN DEWEY CURTIS.

